It’s harder than ever for small businesses to set themselves apart from the sea of competitors in today’s economy.
The internet means that consumers who were limited to a local market two decades ago can now source goods and services globally.
However, while brand differentiation can be difficult, it’s completely doable with a bit of creativity, time, and commitment.
If you’re looking for ways to stand out from your competitors, take note of these practical tips:
1. Send A Gift
If you’re looking for a guaranteed way to boost your brand recognition, branded promotional products are the way to do it.
Promotional products are a creative and effective way of building loyalty with your customers, and you can even use them as a fun alternative to a business card.
When you circulate useful items branded with your logo, you can be sure that your business will be kept at the top of people’s minds.
Additional reading;
- 5 Email Marketing Strategies To Improve Brand Loyalty
- How To Build Loyal And Lasting Client Relationships
- How To Build Strategic And Loyal Client Relationships
2. Provide Exceptional Service
Plenty of businesses claim that they pride themselves on their exceptional customer service. However, few follow through with these promises.
These days, not investing time and effort into building an excellent customer service program can be harmful to your business – in fact, 51% of customers will never do business with a company again if they have just one negative experience.
To truly set yourself apart from your competitors, it’s essential to go above and beyond for your clientele – after all, there’s no reason to turn elsewhere when they are entirely satisfied with your business.
Additional reading;
- How To Provide Boss Service
- How 24/7 Customer Support Can Help Your Business
- How To Use Empathy In Customer Service
3. Find Your Niche
When your service offerings are too broad, you may find that you’re not getting the business you expect.
This is because consumers shopping around for a particular service aren’t sure whether your business will be the right fit for what they need.
One of the best ways to stand out is by defining precisely what your business offers, which will help you identify your target market and build a stronger brand in turn.
When establishing your niche, analyze your competitors’ business models and become familiar with what they don’t offer – this is an opportunity to get creative and bring something new to the market.
Additional reading;
- 12 Most Profitable Niches For Making Money Online
- 5 Reasons You Should NicheDown™
- How To Discover And Engage Your Target Audience
4. Offer A Guarantee
If you’re confident in your product or services, nothing builds customer trust like offering a guarantee.
This could be promising next-day delivery or letting customers know that if they’re not 100% satisfied with your goods or services, they’re eligible for their money back.
Backing up your marketing with assurances helps customers feel more comfortable to do business with you and increases the likelihood of them making a purchase.
Just make sure to honor your guarantee when the time comes, or you could risk losing business and tarnishing your brand’s reputation.
Additional reading;
- How To Build A Brand That Lasts
- How And Why It’s Crucial To Create A Strong Personal Brand
- How To Build A Strong Personal Brand
5. Be Honest
People run businesses, and people make mistakes.
If you’ve made a slip up in your and left a customer feeling frustrated, don’t be quick to blame someone or something else: instead, communicate openly about the error and work to make amends.
Negative reviews spread like wildfire, so it’s in the best interests of your business to ensure you’re always going above and beyond when it comes to customer experience.
What’s more, customers will be more likely to trust you in the long run if you handle a situation well and make them feel valued in the process.
Setting your business apart from your competition can often feel like an uphill battle. Take note of the above tips, and you’ll cement your reputation as a leader in your field.
Additional reading;